As Ecology Club Advisor, science teacher and local union president I try to stay involved. I love our world and have been the American Littoral Society's beach captain at Zach's Bay for 12 years.
On Saturday, September 17th, 2011, 24 students and two additional teachers, Mr. Mezzafonte and Mrs. Sebber, went to Zach’s Bay, Jones Beach to clean up some trash and to make our world a little bit cleaner and greener. We broke records set in previous years’ beach clean-up excursions. This year’s group of students collected 736 pounds of garbage and debris - an all-time record! We were joined by two Cub Scout Packs and one Girls Scout Troop. A total of 72 people took part in this effort!
The beach clean-up excursion was part of the 26th Annual International Beach Cleanup Day sponsored by The Ocean Conservancy and the American Littoral Society. The information collected is then used by The Ocean Conservancy to help pass legislation to reduce pollution, increase bottle deposit amounts, and fine companies for polluting.
Students who get involved in this experience often come back year after year. This is an exceptional way for them to get community service hours and they absolutely love doing it!
(Rosanne Mamo is the president of Sewanhaka Federation of Teachers)